alterson



Feb. 20, 1934. ALTERSQN 1,947,690

BUCKLE Filed July l, 1933 lll/1,11

Snventoz [om Z'Jon @513% @Hof/n Patented Feb. 20, 1934 lTED STABS This invention relates to a buckle, particularly adapted ior use upon shoes, belts, or in any other environment, where its function is to detachably unite the two ends of a strap.

The object of the invention is to provide a buckle which will be or" simple and sturdy construction and which will securely, yet detachably, unite the two ends oi the strap whether the same be the ends of a belt, a shoe strap, or any other strap fastening.

One of the objections generally met with in buckles is that they require holes in the strap to permit the passage of a buckle tongue, and consequently do not provide the required nicety ci" adjustment demanded, particularly where the buckle is used upon a shoe strap. Additionally, the formation of holes in a strap to permit the passage oi the buckle tongue weakens the strap and causes either breakage or imposes wear and tear upon the strap so that the same soon presents a worn or delapidated appearance.

Other types or buckles wherein a tongue, passing through holes in the strap, is not used, have been provided with teeth or other sharp or pointed projections which out or penetrate into the body of the strap so that the strap soon becomes worn through or presents a rough and abraded appearance.

The primary obiect of this invention is to provide a buckle having all of the advantages of a buckle having a tongue penetrating the strap, yet without requiring such penetration of the strap so that the life oi the strap is considerably increased.

My improved buckle is so constructed that it firmly grips the strap and prevents slippage thereof under all conditions of use.

More specifically the invention contemplates the provision ci a buckle having a frame through which the adjustable end oi the strap passes, and having a cross bar provided with a tongue formed with an end or head adapted to impinge against the strap and grip it in co-operation with a part of the frame so that slippage of the strap while so gripped is prevented without the strap becoming worn or torn through use.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. l is a plan View ci a buckle made in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a similar view of a part or" the buckle, with a portion of the buckle frame and tongue broken away to disclose construction; Fig. 3 is a sectional View on the line 3-3 of 2, looking in the direction of the arrows; and Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through the buckle, showing how the straps are held by the buckle.

In the structure shown in the drawing l and 2 indicate the longitudinal side bars of the buckle frame, these side bars being integrally connected at the ends or" the frame by end bars 3 and 4. An integral intermediate bar 5 connects the side bars l and 2 and iorms a support for the tongue 6 which is provided with a loop portion bent about the cross bar 5 so that the tongue 6 is hingedly connected to the bar 5 in the customary way. At its free end the tongue 6 is provided with an enlarged flat plate portion or head 8 which extends downwardly at an angle from the tongue 6. At 10 is indicated a cross bar which connects the side bars i and 2 and is located between the cross bar 5 and the end 3 of the buckle frame. The cross bar 1G is provided in its upper face with a recess 11 in which the tongue 6 rests. The cross bar l() is also provided with a curved portion 12 which conforms in shape to the rear edge of the head 8 on the tongue.

From the foregoing the manner in which the buckle is used will be readily understood. It is permanently secured to the strap end 16 which extends about the cross bar 5 in the usual way. The free end l5 of the strap is passed upwardly through the opening 14 of the buckle and is located between the end member 3 of the frame and the edge 9 of the head 8. When the strap is drawn to its proper position of adjustment the tongue 6 is pressed down so that it lies in the recess 1l and has its front edge 9 impinging against the strap 15 and clamping it between said edge 9 and the inner edge of the end member 3 oi lthe buckle frame. The angular inclination of the head 8 causes its edge 9 to co-operate with the end bar 3 in firmly gripping the strap end l5 and preventing its inadvertant passage through the buckle. The free end of the part 15 of the strap is passed downwardly through the opening 13 and under the end member 14 of the frame as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

It will be understood that the shape of the frame may be altered in Various Ways to suit diiierent design requirements of the trade.

What I claim is:-

A buckle having a frame composed of spaced side bars connected at their ends by end bars, a strap-engaging cross bar connecting the side bars, a tongue pivotally mounted on the cross bar, an enlarged flat head on the free end of the tongue, said head being inclined with respect to the body of the tongue and adapted to have its outer edge impinge against a strap without penetrating the strap while said strap is positioned between the edge of said head and the end member of the frame, and a cross member on the frame provided with a recess in its upper face forming a seat in which the tongue rests while engaging the strap.

LOUIS ALTERSON. 

